Caladium plant named &#39;CARIBBEAN CORAL&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Caribbean Coral’, characterized by its intermediate height and upright plant habit; leaf petioles that are upright to outwardly leaning with development; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; strap (or lance) type leaves that are dark olive green in color with dark pink-colored venation surrounded with lighter pink areas and interveinal areas that are pink variably suffused with green in color with random greenish white and pink-colored spots; and petioles that are light green in color, distally tinged with pink and tan peak and tan green, and overall with brown-colored streaks, stipples and tessellations.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘CARIBBEAN CORAL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referredto as a strap (or lance) leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘Caribbean Coral’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2010 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum‘John Peed’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with CaladiumX hortulanum ‘White Marble’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,819, asthe male, or pollen, parent. The new Caladium plant was discovered andselected by the Inventor as a single plant within the progeny of thestated cross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment inZolfo Springs, Fla. in September, 2011.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by ‘chipping’ the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2012 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Caribbean Coral’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘Caribbean Coral’ as a newand distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Intermediate in height and upright plant habit; leaf petioles        upright to outwardly leaning with development.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Strap (or lance) type leaves that are dark olive green in        color with dark pink-colored venation surrounded with lighter        pink areas and interveinal areas that are pink variably suffused        with green in color with random greenish white and pink-colored        spots.    -   4. Petioles that are light green in color, distally tinged with        pink and tan peak and tan green, and overall with brown-colored        streaks, stipples and tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘John Peed’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium have strap (or lance) type leaves        whereas plants of ‘John Peed’ have fancy type leaves.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘John Peed’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘John Peed’ have dark red-colored centers and        red-colored venation with dark green-colored margins.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘John Peed’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘John Peed’ are dark pink in        color with dark green to almost black-colored stipples and        streaks.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘White Marble’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Marble’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘White Marble’ are dark green in color with        white-colored venation and areas surrounding the veins with        greenish white-colored interveinal areas.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Marble’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘White Marble’ are tan green        in color with darker green stipples and streaks.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Scarlet Flame’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,419. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Scarlet Flame’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are taller and more upright than        and not as mounding as plants of ‘Scarlet Flame’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Scarlet Flame’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘Scarlet Flame’ are dark green in color with        rose red-colored venation and pink and rose red-colored spots        and blotches.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Scarlet Flame’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘Scarlet Flame’ are distally        flushed with pink with close to black-colored streaks and        stripes.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Lance Whorton’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘LanceWhorton’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are slightly shorter and denser        than plants of ‘Lance Whorton’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Lance Whorton’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘Lance Whorton’ are dark green in color with        rose red venation and red to rose pink-colored areas surrounding        the veins with pinkish green-colored interveinal areas and        random pinkish orange-colored spots.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Lance Whorton’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘Lance Whorton’ are tan pink        in color with darker-colored streaks, stipples and        tessellations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant. The photograph on the first sheet is a sideperspective view of a typical plant of ‘Caribbean Coral’ in a containerand grown in a shadehouse (tuber not de-eyed). The photograph at the topof the second sheet is a comparison view of typical potted plants of thefemale parent, ‘John Peed’ (left), ‘Caribbean Coral’ (center) and themale parent, ‘White Marble’ (right). The photograph at the bottom of thesecond sheet is a comparison view of typical potted plants of ‘ScarletFlame’ (left), ‘Caribbean Coral’ (center) and ‘Lance Whorton’ (right).The photograph at the top of the third sheet is a side perspective viewof typical plants of ‘Caribbean Coral’ grown in an open field. Thephotograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a comparison view oftypical plants of ‘Caribbean Coral’ grown in containers; the plant onthe left has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the right hashad its tuber de-eyed prior to planting. The photograph at the top ofthe fourth sheet is a close-up view of typical freshly-harvested tuberswith roots and leaf petioles of ‘Caribbean Coral’. The photograph at thebottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescenceof ‘Caribbean Coral’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse (50% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shadehouse-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 8,000foot-candles. During the production ofthe outdoor nursery-grown plants,day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and light levels ranged from about10,000 to 12,000 foot-candles. Plants grown in the shadehouse were sixweeks old and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were seven months oldwhen the photographs and the detailed description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘Caribbean Coral’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘John Peed’,            not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘White            Marble’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,819.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            elliptic to ovate in shape. Height: About 2 cm. Diameter:            About 2.5 cm to 4 cm. Segment height: About 1.4 cm to 2 cm.            Segment diameter: About 1.7 cm to 2 cm. Texture: Thick,            starchy; somewhat brittle. Color: Epidermis,            freshly-harvested: Close to 199B and N199B. Epidermis,            dried: Close to 200A to 200B. Cortical tissue: Close to 2D.            Axillary buds: Close to N155D and N155C. Root description:            Thick, fleshy contractile roots with few lateral branches;            color, close to N155D. Rooting habit: Dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Intermediate in height and upright            plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate;            potted plants in finished or saleable form in about six            weeks after planting tubers; leaf petioles and leaves arise            from one or more growing points on tubers; petioles mostly            upright and outwardly leaning with development;            inflorescences held at the foliar plane on strong upright            scapes.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 32 cm to 38.9 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 39 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 48 cm to 56 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About two to three develop per #1 tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About three to four develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About            4.4 cm to 9.2 cm. Width: About 1.3 cm to 1.7 cm. Shape:            Wedge-shaped or ligulate. Apex: Acuminate, cuspidate. Base:            Sheathing the stem. Color, inner surface: Close to N155B and            196D; colors and patterns on the outer surface are visible            on the inner surface. Color, outer surface: Close to N170D            and 36D; tinged with close to 147D and variably streaked and            stippled with close to 200B; with development, color            becoming closer to 199B faintly tinged with close to 187C.-   Leaf description.    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; strap (or            lance)-type.        -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 17 cm to 22.5            cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 9.5 cm to 13.5            cm; when flattened, about 10.4 cm to 14.7 cm.        -   Blade aspect.—Mostly flat or somewhat cupped in the center.        -   Shape.—Ovate with lanceolate tendencies.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; wavy with broad undulations.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous;            leathery.        -   Luster, upper surface.—Dull sheen.        -   Luster, lower surface.—Glaucous, dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing and fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Background color: Close to            147A tinged with close to N189A. Margins: Close to 147A            tinged with close to N189A; at the edge, close to 187A.            Towards the margins: Close to 51B, 51C, 147A and 137A. Basal            notch: Close to 187B. Midvein and primary venation: Darker            than 53D and close to 53D tinged with close to 185B;            proximally, veins may be streaked with close to 147C and            147B. Areas surrounding venation: Close to 51D or close to            51B and 51C randomly tinged and mottled with close to 137A            and 147A. Interveinal areas: Close to 51B and 51C randomly            tinged and mottled with close to 137A and 147A. Random            spots: Close to 155B, 155D and 49D, Developing and fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Background color: Close to            191A tinged with close to 189A. Margins: Close to 191A            tinged with close to 189A; at the edge, close to 187A.            Towards the margins: Close to 191A tinged with close to            189A, 147C, 181C, 181D, 50C and 50D. Basal notch: Close to            187A. Midvein and primary venation: Close to 147D and 194C            with streaks and flecks, close to 182B and 182C. Secondary            venation: Close to 48B to 48C and 148B. Interveinal areas:            Close to 50C, 50D, 147B and 147C. Random spots: Close to            155C and 36D.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight; with            development, somewhat outwardly leaning; flexible. Length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 27.6 cm to 34.5 cm.            Diameter, distally, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 4            mm to 5 mm. Diameter, proximally, shadehouse-grown potted            plants: About 6 mm to 8.5 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous.            Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants: Close to 182C, 182D            and 199D densely streaked, stippled and tessellated with            close to 147A tinged with close to 200A and 200B; below the            leaf and petiole junction, close to 147B and 147C variably            tinged with close to 182D and sparsely streaked with close            to 182A. Wing length, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About            5 cm to 8 cm. Wing diameter, shadehouse-grown potted plants:            About 5 mm to 8 mm. Texture and luster, inner and outer            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; dull. Wing color,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: Inner surface: Close to 155B            to 155C and 196D; colors and patterns on the outer surface            are visible on the inner surface. Outer surface: Close to            N170D and 36D tinged with close to 147B and 147C and            stippled and streaked with close to 200B tinged with close            to 147A to 147B.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on seven week-old    shadehouse-grown potted plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on a tall upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with camphor note.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring in central            Florida; flowers develop about seven weeks after growth            commences; inflorescences last about three days before            fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 11.8 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 8.6 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:            About 3.2 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 3.1 cm.            Depth, distal open portion: About 2.4 cm. Width, at            constriction: About 1.2 cm. Width, proximal closed portion:            About 2.2 cm. Shape, open portion: Narrowly elliptic. Apex:            Acuminate. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture, front and            rear surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Luster, front surface: Dull            sheen. Luster, rear surface: Dull sheen; proximally,            glaucous. Color, front surface: Distal open portion: Close            to 145D and 155C; with development, color becoming closer to            199C to 199D. Proximal closed portion: Close to 194A and            147C; proximally flushed with close to N186D and 187A; color            does not change with development. Color, rear surface:            Distal open portion: Close to 145C and 145D, central area,            tinged with close to 145B; distally, random spots, close to            155B; color does not change with development. Proximal            closed portion: Close to 147B, 147C and 147D mottled and            flecked with close to 148C and 148D; color does not change            with development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 8.5 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 5.1 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 2.1 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 1.3 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 9 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 5.5 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 8 mm.            Shape: Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse.            Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 155C            tinged with close to 145C to 145D. Color, mature, sterile            zone: Close to 155B. Color, mature, female zone: Close to            155B. Male flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 130. Shape:            Obovate. Height: About 2.5 mm. Diameter: About 2.8 mm.            Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 9D. Female            flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 76. Shape: Obovate.            Height: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Stigma color:            Close to 155B. Ovary color: Close to 155B.        -   Scape.—Length: About 27.2 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture            and luster: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen. Color: Close to            199D variably tinged with close to 182D and 147C, lightly            stippled, streaked and tessellated with close to 147B to            147C and tinged with close to 200D and 199A; distally, close            to 147C tinged with close to 199A, faintly and variably            stippled, streaked and tessellated with close to 147C tinged            with close to 199B.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Disease & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and above    average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new    Caladium have not been observed to have resistance to pests and    other pathogens common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler    zones, tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a    cool dry environment overwinter for re-planting the following    spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘CaribbeanCoral’ as illustrated and described.